IMRAN Khalid's second century of the season fired CREWE to an exciting two-wicket win at Kidsgrove on Saturday.

Crewe seemed destined for defeat in the Division One clash when they slumped to 24-3 in pursuit of Kidsgrove's 188-8dec. But the 25-year-old Pakistani all-rounder, who is proving to be an inspired signing as a professional, had other ideas.

He shared a 64 partnership with youngster James Green (24) to get his side back in the hunt. The quick dismissals of Bernie Bishop (4) and David Hurst (1) made outlook bleak again, with Crewe on 110-6.

But Martin Page (18) joined Khalid to forge a splendid 70 partnership to get the visitors within sight of success.

Page's dismissal, along with that of Chris Lange (0), rocked the boat again, but Khalid continued to produce an amazing array of shots as he hit an unbeaten 113 in Crewe's winning total of 190-8.

Earlier, the hosts were quickly reduced to 45-4, thanks to Lange (2-43) and Mike Holt (2-38).

But they got off the hook with a decent middle-order display, despite Khalid's 4-54 and a excellent performance from keeper Mark Hurst, who took five catches. Meanwhile, an under-strength Crewe side pulled off a fine 114-run win at Congleton in the Cheshire Cup, on Sunday.

Green made an impressive 95 in Crewe's 199-8 in their 40 overs, with useful support from David Hurst (23) and Mark Spencer (21).

Congleton managed just 85 all out in their reply. Veteran Richard Marsh snapped up 4-8, while Holt (2-7), Rob Highfield (2-24) and Simon Swift (2-18) also did some damage.

Meanwhile, ELWORTH fell four runs short of success on Saturday.

Visitors Rode Park batted first and Paul Crompton made an early breakthrough. But, with solid contributions from David Wellings (50) and skipper Neil Chadwick (60no) Park reached 232-7 before declaring.

Lee Morris and Pete Davies had to be on their mettle to cope with Park professional Mihir Diwakeras their reply opened.

But Davies got his eye in and began to show some quality, eventually hitting 12 boundaries in his 86. Dave Palin (23) and Rob Beech (33) joined him in partnerships of 51 and 92 respectively, before his dismissal.

Elworth had closed to within 10 of victory, with two wickets in hand, when Diwakeras began the final over.

Six off the last two balls were required, but Tarek Alam could only squeeze a single from the penultimate delivery.

Young Tom Harwood kept out a Yorker on the final ball, but could only scamper for one, leaving the home side on 229-8.

In Division Two, BETLEY suffered a 162-run hammering at the hands of Newcastle and Hartshill.

Batting first Andrew Elliott (85), Kamran Afzaal (85) and Asim Butt (50no) powered the hosts to 269-3. Gangandeep Singh (29) top-scored for Betley in their reply of 109, as Butt returned 9-49.

Raj Kumar hit a sublime 139 not out for WESTON as they enjoyed a six-wicket success at Whitmore.

The hosts batted first and declared on 248-7 (James Littlewood 2-17). Most struggled, but Kumar smashed 20 fours in his stunning display, while Hassan Haleem hit eight fours and a six in his 70 not out, as Weston reached 249-4.